The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

This month we celebrated the historic designation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday and UC President Drake’s announcement that UC would celebrate the holiday on June 28 this year. A group of our staff members organized a Juneteenth webinar event on June 18 featuring riveting presentations by Sociologist Lesa Johnson from CSU Chico and our own Mary Blackburn, Family Consumer Sciences Health & Nutrition Advisor in Alameda County. The team did a fantastic job organizing this important event!
 
We are also working to fully return to UC ANR workplaces beginning July 1. Some of us have been working in ANR offices during the pandemic, but the majority have been working from home offices and conducting virtual programming. With health and safety first and foremost in our return-to-workplace protocols, we are working through the many logistics and the evolving guidance from scientists and health officials to ensure a smooth return to serving our clientele in person. We are relationship-based at our core and I’m eager for us to continue to be the face of UC in every California community.
 
Not surprisingly, other focuses this month have been drought and wildfire as you will see reflected in the news clips, news stories, and upcoming events featured. There is an enlightening article in “Notes from the Field” on large scale efforts that need to be made to address the magnitude of the drought – far beyond water saving strategies in the home. There’s also a new publication on managing burrowing rodents in organic farms in the “Spotlight on Practical Resources” section that residents dealing with rodents will also find helpful.
 
I’d also like to highlight that Cooperative Extension was recognized in The Washington Post this month as “the best free cooking resource,” a great shout-out for our nutrition, Master Food Preserver and Master Gardener programs that help thousands of Californians grow, cook and preserve healthy food.
 
I wish you a safe and happy July 4th holiday and look forward to seeing colleagues and friends of ANR in person soon!